What do teachers really think about the Curriculum & Assessment Review?

When the government published its long-awaited Curriculum and Assessment Review on 5th November 2025, the reaction from unions, subject associations and education organisations was immediate and vocal. But what about the teachers and school leaders who will actually be implementing these changes in classrooms across the country?

We decided to find out. Within days of the Review's publication, we surveyed over 100 education professionals to capture their initial reactions whilst they were still fresh. This was a deliberate departure from our usual approach (we typically conduct in-depth, nuanced qualitative research with schools). However, this moment called for a quick temperature check to understand sector sentiment before moving on to more detailed exploration.

Who we spoke to:

• Headteachers, senior leaders and heads of department

• Staff from academies, MATs and local authority schools

• Primarily secondary teachers, with some primary representation
  

Whilst not statistically representative, this research provides a timely snapshot of views from those at the chalk-face.

The headline verdict? Cautiously optimistic, but with significant concerns.

What teachers welcomed:

• Reduced emphasis on EBacc: seen as offering greater flexibility for creative and vocational subjects

• Promise of less exam content and exam time: reducing student stress and curriculum overload

• Modernisation of the curriculum: particularly digital literacy, financial literacy and oracy

• Evolution rather than revolution: 48% felt the amount of change proposed was "about right"
  

Overall, 54% had a positive reaction to the proposals. Teachers told us they were pleased to see many of their long-standing hopes reflected in the Review.

But concerns run deep:

However, 43% had mixed feelings, and 57% felt the Review hadn't fully captured all the issues schools face. When we dug deeper, persistent worries emerged:

• Teacher workload: the number one barrier to implementation (cited by 65% of respondents)

• Insufficient funding: the second biggest concern (61%)

• Staff recruitment and retention: particularly acute for Triple Science and Computing (52%)

• The enrichment accountability announcement: many feel positive curriculum changes will be undermined by new demands
  

Analysis revealed that many concerns related to funding, inspections and workload which were issues outside the Review's Terms of Reference. This highlights an important truth: curriculum reform is just one piece of a complex jigsaw.

What schools will need in the near future

As schools move from reaction to planning mode, our research points to significant demand for support.

Teachers told us they'll need:

Most in demand

• Clear, practical implementation guidance (42%)

• New or updated teaching and learning resources (40%)

• Subject-specific training and CPD (36%)

• Digital and online teaching resources (34%)
  

Growing areas of interest

• Curriculum planning tools and frameworks

• New assessment materials

• Support in delivering enrichment programmes (15%)

• AI-enabled resources for marking, assessment and resource creation (13%)
  

This presents clear opportunities for education suppliers, publishers and training providers who can genuinely support schools through this transition.

Download the full report below to explore these findings in detail, including what different types of schools said, specific subject concerns, and the barriers they anticipate. Whether you're developing products and services for the education sector, working in policy, or leading a school through these changes, this research offers valuable insight into how teachers and school leaders are responding to one of the most significant curriculum reviews in a generation.

Insightful Research - Curriculum and Assessment Review - Key insights.pdf

Download PDF • 1.47MB

Planning your response to the curriculum review? We can help you understand what teachers and school leaders actually need to make implementation successful. Contact us to explore how research can inform your next steps.